T8171 Church Fathers: An Introduction

Unit code T8171

Unit name Church Fathers: An Introduction

Unit weighting 9 cp

Prerequisites N/A

Exclusions T7171 Early Church Fathers

Curriculum objective This graduate course unit engages the main themes and characteristics of the patristic tradition, which it examines within their historical context up to the early fifth century and from a comparative perspective. It assists students to appreciate the significance of various trends in traditional theology and spirituality for the general Christian experience.

Learning outcomes At the end of this unit students will be able to:

1. Evaluate the historical and ecclesial contexts of various trends in patristic tradition
2. Investigatethe main themes pertaining to the patristic tradition
3. Understand recent developments of knowledgein relation to the primary and secondary sources addressing patristic themes
4. Investigate, analyse and synthesise themes pertaining to the patristic tradition within their immediate and distant literary and historical contexts
5. Apply with initiative the patristic tradition to contemporary scholarship and the Christian experience

Content

1. Apostolic fathers and martyrdom literature
2. Greek and Latin apologists
3. Defenders of the apostolic tradition
4. The Alexandrians
5. The Cappadocians
6. Early Syrian fathers
7. Fathers from Jerusalem and Antioch
8. The Latin fathers of the fourth and early fifth century

Assessment profile In this unit, the required assessment tasks will enable students to demonstrate how successfully they can:

1. Reflect critically upon the primary and secondary sources relating to the early Church (Outcome 3)
2. Investigate, analyse and synthesise the main Christological trends in the early Church (Outcomes 2 and 4)
3. Evaluate complex beliefs and concepts in the early Church from the viewpoints of contemporary scholarship and the Christian experience (Outcomes 1, 5)